A digital world with my ideas, tips, and creativity.

10 Values I’m Living By

Our values are the foundation of our identity. They are shaped and continuously re-shaped through our culture, religion, friends, family, and the media. It serves as our moral compass; directs our decisions and actions.

Many people may confuse values with ethics or morals, but it isn’t the same. Your values are what’s important to you and give you a purpose. It guides you on a daily basis in what you do and who you are. And living according to your values will keep you driven, as you’re living according to YOU and no one else.

How I work, how I love, how I live and go about my day is determined by what I believe is my life’s purpose, which is governed by my values. Here are 10 values I’m living by:

1. APPRECIATION

When you take the time to say, “thank you,” acknowledging friendly service or someone’s pretty hat, it encourages positivity. Not only doesn’t it cost you a thing, but it also lifts the spirit of the people around you.

2. COMPASSION

Having different skin colours, religious preferences, sexual orientation, and beliefs don’t make you anything more or less than a human being. All of us want to belong and deserve love. And you don’t have to agree on everything to show you care! At the end of the day, we need to take care of each other.

3. COURTESY

The media have convinced us during the years that bigger is better, but it’s amazing how a small gesture can carry so much lasting value. So, the next time you’re approaching a door and someone is a few steps behind you, wait for a second and hold the door for them. Instead of just remembering that one person who showed you such courtesy, be that person!

4. DEDICATION

It’s Jon Sinclair who said that failure isonly a bruise and not a tattoo. Failure is a part of success and gives you the opportunity to try again. Unless you find yourself in an abusive relationship or situation, stay on course and don’t give up! You’ll regret giving up more than trying again.

5. EFFORT

All of us appreciate it when someone puts in the effort. Whether it’s a gift, visit, or that needed phone call, there is always value in the effort when it’s well-intended and authentic.

6. GRATITUDE

A grateful heart teaches you to be positive and see the abundance you have been blessed with. It puts things into perspective; showing you that you can give more to the world than you’ve realised.

Knowing that what you have today can be taken away tomorrow, keeps you focussed on what’s truly important.

8. HOPE

Hope is our driving force; our fuel that keeps us moving forward when life gets tough. When we’re tired, hope reassures us that life is a matter of when and not if. We have the choice of moving forward and making something of our lives.

9. INTEGRITY

Integrity is about putting your personal gain aside and doing the right thing, even when it isn’t easy. At the end of the day, actions do speak louder than words. It’s not your beliefs that make you a better person, it’s your behaviour!

10. TOLERANCE

If I could wish only one word for the human race, this would be it. We don’t have to agree to be able to co-exist. Choose your battles and let other people be. Just because they’re different from you doesn’t make them wrong. We are all part of this thing we call the human condition; trying to live with purpose.

Making a deliberate and conscious attempt to live by these values help me to keep my anxiety in check and my personal worth high. I learn, I grow and move on.